Chapter 23: Oh My Goddess Pt 2
"You expect us to beat the Titans dressed like this? Maybe at a costume party." Piper said,
"That's not a costume. That represents your new position and power." Chris said.
"Power? Power's good. I like power." Paige said and then she began to wonder why was she thinking like that. "Why do I like power?"
"Because you are the goddess of war." Chris said.
Paige smiled, "Ahh. Well, I guess that explains the pitch fork."
Sam shook his head, "It's not a pitch fork, Paige, it's a trident. Be careful, that's a formidable weapon."
"Right on. Who wants to fight?" Paige wondered.
"I'm a lover, not a fighter." Phoebe said.
Chris nodded, "You're the goddess of love."
"Naturally. Well, then that must make me the goddess of sanity because I find this ridiculous." Piper said.
Chris shook his head, "Actually, Leo gave you dominion over the earth and all it's natural elements."
"Wait a minute, you're saying that Leo did this to them?" Buffy asked.
"Chris? You never told us, do you have a girlfriend in the future?" Phoebe said.
"Yes, he did, Patty," Sam said.
"As you can see, you three have drives and urges based on your powers. Don't let them distract you, alright? Stay focused, focused on the Titans." Chris said.
Piper frowned, "Hold it, pal. I don't know what kind of game you're running here, but Leo is not in the god-making business."
"How old are you, anyway?" Phoebe asked Chris.
"The Elders forbid it," Buffy said. "And seriously Leo would never have gone against their orders."
Sam nodded, "The Elders did forbid it. And they're dead, Patty. Most of them, anyways. Leo's in charge up there now and he's taken a huge risk that Piper, Phoebe and Paige won't lose their humanity like the ancient Greeks..."
"You killed the Elders." Paige said as she stuck her trident into Chris's shirt and hoisted him up in the air. "You could've prevented it. I say we castrate."
"Can't we figure out something else to cut off?" Phoebe asked.
Chris orbed out and back in across the room. "I told you, stay focused. In my future, all the Elders were killed. That's why I came back to help Leo give you the power so this would never have to happen again."
"Hey, guys, watch this," Paige said as she pointed her trident at the piano. A bolt of lightning fired from the trident destroying the piano.
"That was grandmother's piano, Paige." Buffy said. "Your great grandmother. It was over eighty years old. Your great grandfather played it in the 1920's when the Manor was used as a speakeasy. So put that thing down, you're going to hurt someone."
"I certainly hope so. Do you know the kind of damage this thing could do?" Paige said.
"A lot," Sam said.
"Paige, make love, not, you know. There's no door love can't open, no wall love can't climb, no hurdle love can't..." Phoebe said as she tried what would go with hurdle. "…hurdle."
"This is Leo's strategy? Well, he must have lost it up there because these girls can't be seen in public, much less..." Piper said.
"Ooh, that reminds me. I'm late for the bachelor auction. I'm going to go pick up a guy or two, or twelve," Phoebe said as she clapped her hands and she disappeared in a swirl of pink mist.
"Phoebe?" Buffy and Chris said.
"Ooh, that's a good idea. I'm going to go get in some target practice with some demons. Watch out Titans," Paige said as lightning bolts surrounded her and she too disappeared.
"I knew this was going to happen. You got to go after them." Chris said.
Sam sighed. "I knew this was a mistake."
"Oh, no-no-no. This was your big plan, you clean up the mess," Piper said.
Chris shook his head, "No, your role is to provide balance. That's why you feel so grounded and in control."
Buffy looked to Sam, "If you knew it was a mistake…"
"Because it still had to happen." Sam said. "The Titans are too strong for the power of three."
"Wow, Chris that was actually pretty good. You almost sounded like a Whitelighter. Too bad I already have one. And if he would like me to do something, he can come down and tell me himself." Piper said as she looked toward the ceiling. "Do you hear that?"
"You want Leo, hm? Then vanquish the Titans. If you can't do that, you're gonna find out what a world of darkness feels like. My world." Chris said.
"How come you're not up there then?" Buffy asked as she looked at boyfriend.
"You were right," Sam said. "According to Chris you are supposed to be my only charge from now on. Much like Faith with Dawn."
"So who's is the reward?" Buffy wondered as Piper disappeared. "You or me?"
"I don't know," Sam said.
"I think I can answer that."
Sam, Buffy turned to look at Chris.
"You are each other's rewards," Chris said. "Sam, Buffy is yours for what you went through when Patty died. Buffy, Sam is yours for everything you have gone through in both lifetimes. Though more this one than the one as Patty."
"I thought you couldn't tell us too much about the future," Buffy said.
"I've already said too much," Chris said. "But here is the thing with the two of you. You would have figured it out yourselves eventually anyways. I just decided to push you two in the direction you needed to be heading."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In the woods Paige pointed her trident at three demons. "Come on, now, hit me with your best shot." A demon threw an energy ball at Paige, who caught it and extinguished it. "Give me one firm spot on wish to stand and I will move the earth." She pointed her trident at the demon and zapped him, vanquishing him. "Archimedes said that. Great warrior. And he didn't even have a trident. Okay, on your knees. Kiss the hand of the Paige."
"Yes, my liege." The remaining demons said as they knew before Paige.
"Mm, being a goddess does have its perks." Paige said.
Leaves flew around one spot and Piper appeared.
"Paige, what are you doing?" Piper asked.
"How'd you find me?" Paige asked.
Piper smiled, "Apparently it's one of my powers to keep an eye on you. What is going on here?"
"Oh, I'm just building an army. I figured what better way to smite the Titans than with hordes of demons, right?" Paige said.
Piper shook her head, "Wrong. All of you out."
"We answer only to our liege."
Paige smiled and nodded.
"I see." Piper said.
"See, they're very loyal. And you know what? I don't know why I was wasting my time studying witchcraft when I clearly should have been earning my general stripes." Paige said.
"I believe I said go! Now!" Piper said as the ground shook. The demon frightened shimmered out.
"What'd you have to do that for? I had followers." Paige said.
Piper shook her head, "Paige, you can't have followers. None of us can. Now come on before I unleash my wrath on you."
Piper and Paige disappear and reappear inside the manor.
"Not in the house." Piper said as she took the trident from Paige and put it aside. "Mom!"
"In here," Buffy called back. They heard other voices besides just Buffy's in the living room.
"How does that feel, Phoebe?"
Piper and Paige walk into the living room and stop next to Buffy, Dawn and Paige. They saw Phoebe lying on a red sofa, surrounded by half-naked men. Some were fanning her with a large feather, another was massaging her feet, and another was feeding her grapes.
"Oh, make sure you peel those for me, will you?" Phoebe said.
"Phoebe? We need to talk." Buffy said.
Phoebe nodded, "Yes, we do. The world would be over flowing with peace and love if only we just talked more."
"Mm-hm. What are they doing here?" Piper asked.
Phoebe smiled, "Oh, worshipping me, adoring me, exalting my name. There is so much love in this room I can barely stand it."
"Well I can't," Buffy said. "Send them away, Phoebe."
"But serving me makes them so happy." Phoebe said as one of the men handed her a chalice. "Thank you, bachelor number three."
"Alright, all of you, show is over. Move along." Piper said.
"We live to serve Phoebe."
Phoebe smiled, "Oh, you do, don't you? That's so sweet. Piper, you need to get some followers of your own. It's a really great confidence builder."
"Are you eyeing me, soldier?" Paige asked.
"What the hell is this?" Chris asked as he joined them. "Goddesses gone wild? I told you to keep them in line. What would happen if the Titans attacked right now?"
"Chris, I've got it. Thank you. All of you, out!" Piper said as a gust of wind blew through the room and the men land in the foyer on top of one another. They quickly get up and race outside.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." Chris said.
"Now is not the time, Chris." Sam said.
"Time for a morality check. Leo did not give us this power so we could form armies or love cults." Piper said as Phoebe looked at Chris and flirted with him. "The ancient Greeks indulged in their whims that way and look what they became."
"Petty, evil, vindictive." Chris said.
"Thanks, I've got it. Now... hi!" Piper said as she poked Phoebe with a pillow. "Can you two get it under control?"
"Reason and judgement are the qualities of a leader. Tacitus, 100 A.D." Paige said.
Phoebe smiled, "Love will keep us together. Captain and Tennille. 1970s."
Buffy smiled, "Oh that was a good song."
"Fascinating. Now, can we figure out a way to beat the Titans, 'cause I for one would like my family back. Soon." Piper said as she, Phoebe, Paige, Chris and Sam heard a call from an Elder.
"Is that a jingle?" Phoebe asked.
"There are no Elders up there. Who's jingling?" Paige said.
"It's Leo." Sam said in answer to Paige's questions.
"Leo can jingle?" Buffy asked.
Chris nodded, "Yep. He says an Elder's under attack. Like it or not, it's time to face the Titans."
Chris, Buffy, Dawn and Sam watched as Piper, Paige and Phoebe disappeared.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In the woods Finnegan stood in front of Roland blocking him from the Titans. "Stand back, wise one."
"Such bravery in the face of death." Cronus said.
"We aren't the ones who'll be dying today." Finnegan said as he waved his shillelagh." Go n-eiri an bothar leat!" A rainbow appeared and sucked up Finnegan and Roland. Cronus threw a blast of fire into the air hitting the tail of the rainbow and Finnegan screamed as he was vanquished.
Roland fell out of the rainbow onto the ground.
"Remind me when we're through with the Elders to do something nice for the Leprechaun community." Cronus said.
"We've beaten you before, Cronus. We'll do it again." Roland said.
Cronus smiled, "How? Your numbers are dwindling. By day's end, the great Elders will all be dead and we'll own the heavens." Piper, Phoebe and Paige appear. "Who are you?"
"The Supremes." Paige said, sarcastically. She pointed her trident at Cronus and fired off a bolt of lightning which he deflected.
"She wields the powers of the gods," Demetrius said.
"Just kill the Elder." Cronus said as he and Demetrius threw a stream of fire and a lightning bolt at the girls. They held up their hands and a light shields them.
"Somebody get the Elder out." Piper said.
"I can't. I can't move." Phoebe said.
"Me neither." Paige replied as the Titans move closer to them.
"Leo!" Piper called out as they all orb out.
Moments later in a sewer the remaining Buffy, Dawn and Sam walked amongst the Elders as Piper, Phoebe and Paige appear with Roland.
"Is everybody okay?" Buffy asked as she walked over to her daughters.
"No. Is my hair singed?" Phoebe asked.
"You're fine." Buffy said.
"I guess we're not so all powerful after all. How'd we get out of there?" Paige said.
"I guess Leo must have orbed us out." Piper said. "But I don't know how, he doesn't have that kind of power."
"He did though," Sam said as they looked at him. "It seems the longer he remains up there something is happening."
"What is this place, a sewer?" Paige said.
"This is sanctuary," Roland said.
"Oh, my, my, my." Phoebe said as she walked over to Roland. "Aren't you just the edible Elder? Have you taken a vow of celibacy?"
"Phoebe. Stay on target." Piper said.
"I have to agree, Phoebe," Buffy said.
Phoebe nodded, "Right."
"What do you mean this is sanctuary?" Piper asked.
"It's a safe house," Sam said. "Set up by Leo to protect the Elders."
"Well, it doesn't look so safe to me. I can see unprotected points of entry all over the place." Paige said
Roland shook his head, "Don't worry, the Titans can't sense our location. We're hidden from them by a web of fairy magic. Another of Leo's ideas."
"Leo did all this?" Piper asked.
Roland nodded, "I was surprised myself. I'm afraid I was one of the Elders who always sold Leo short. What with him marrying a witch and all. No offense."
"Offense taken." Piper said.
Roland sighed, "I will never make that mistake again. Without Leo we'd all be dead. He's out there now tracking Elders as we speak, moving them here. We owe Leo everything."
"I guess so." Piper said.
"Well, good luck with the Titans." Roland said.
"One more question. What are you wearing under that robe?" Phoebe asked.
"More robes." Roland said before walking away.
"Oh, that is so hot." Phoebe says.
"This is getting tired." Piper says.
"A warrior preparing for battle cannot be weary." Paige says.
"No, I'm tired of getting all this information second hand. I would like to hear it from Leo." Piper says.
"It's not that simple," Sam said. "I wish was, Piper, for you and your son."
"Well, Sam, I need to talk to my husband. I-I appreciate him becoming a magical folk hero for the masses and all, I really do, but enough is enough. Leo! Remember me? Your wife!" Piper said as Leo jingled. "Don't you jingle me. I need more than a jingle here, mister. You will get down here right now!"
"Are you trying to alert the enemy?" Paige asked as a small earthquake shook the sewers.
"Piper, I'm sure as soon as Leo figures out how angry you are, he's gonna come running down here." Phoebe said as they look up and waited a moment. "Okay, you can come running now. Look, sweetie, it's not like he's not busy. He's saving the world."
"He's also buying you time to vanquish the Titans." Buffy said.
Piper sighed. "I don't know where we're gonna get the strength from. They had no problem with Paige's power."
"Then let's try my power." Phoebe said. The sisters disappeared and returned to the Manor.
Buffy sighed as she turned to Sam. "Piper might be right. Can Leo do the same to me and Dawn?"
Sam sighed. "Yes," he said as he walked over to an Elder who held an urn. He walked back over to Buffy and Dawn. "Are you two sure you want to do this?"
Dawn looked at her sister and saw that Buffy wasn't sure. "No," she said as she looked at Sam. "Just do it."
Sam nodded as he uncapped the urn and dust swirled up around Buffy and Dawn and when it disappeared Buffy and Dawn were now wearing outfits similar to the ones Piper, Phoebe and Paige wore. "Buffy, you are the goddess of the hunt. Dawn, you are the goddess of gateways. Together with Piper, Phoebe and Paige you should form a power stronger than that of the Titans."
Buffy and Dawn looked at each other and disappeared. They reappeared to find Demetrius standing next to Phoebe.
"Why? It doesn't matter." Phoebe said as she picked up a feather and stroked his face with it. "The only thing that matters is that you're here and I'm here. Do you know what that means?"
"We're here." Demetrius said.
Phoebe smiled, "Right. Together. Do you want me?"
Demetrius nodded, "Very much."
"I'm all yours." Phoebe said as Demetrius leaned in closer. "But wait, what would Cronus think?"
"I don't care what Cronus thinks." Demetrius said as Cronus walked behind Buffy and Dawn. "If he tries to stop me, I'll just..."
"What are you doing, Demetrius?" Cronus asked seemingly not realizing that Buffy and Dawn were there.
"The goddess wants to seduce me," Demetrius said as he moved beside Cronus. "I was just playing along until you got here."
Phoebe sighed, "Fooey!" she said as the Titans threw fire and lightning at her.
Paige walked beside her sister and the Titans flickered away. "End the war game."
"A war game?" Buffy asked as Paige nodded.
Paige looked at her sister and aunt and noticed they were dressed like them. "What's going on?"
"Buffy and Dawn convinced me to turn them into gods as well," Sam said as he walked into the living room.
"I don't know if two more will help," Paige said. "Nothing we've tried so far is working. I need a break."
"How did the Greeks do it?" Phoebe asked as they walked into the parlor and sit down.
"I think we need to declare ourselves as gods," Dawn said as she looked at Sam for confirmation.
"I'd rather be flayed alive." Paige said as Buffy and Sam looked at each other.
"Not an option for me. God, I miss Leo." Phoebe said as Chris orbed in. "Leo?"
"Oh, it's just you." Paige said.
"Hello, to you too. So the Elders are taken care of. Where's Piper?" Chris said.
"She's upstairs with Wyatt." Paige said. "We were trying to run war games down here."
"Um, could you bring us Leo?" Phoebe asked.
"Am I not good enough, Phoebe?" Sam asked.
"I mean no offense, Sam," Phoebe said.
"I understand," Sam said. "You need him for more than just advice, but moral support. Being someone you have known for years he knows how to …"
"How's it going here?" Chris asked.
"Seems they've been running war games that all end the same way," Dawn said.
"Could of you bring him down, Sam?" Phoebe asked.
Sam could tell Chris was against the idea of Sam orbing up there. After all his orbing power could be tracked by the Titans. "I could," he said. "But I think Leo will need a distraction otherwise he won't be able to come down and I can't stay up there."
Chris sighed and nodded, that meant he had to be the distraction. He orbed out.
Buffy looked to Sam, "Why don't you try and help our daughter and Phoebe at least till Leo gets here. I will see how Piper is doing."
Sam nodded as Buffy walked up the stairs. She found Piper in her bedroom holding Wyatt. She smiled as she walked over to the crib and picked up Elizabeth before sitting down next to her daughter. "How are you holding up?" she asked.
"I miss him, Mom." Piper said.
"I know," Buffy said.
Piper looked at Buffy and saw that she was now wearing a toga. "Did I miss something?"
"Dawn and I asked Sam to make us gods," Buffy said. "Maybe with two more we have the power now to defeat the Titans." Just then Dawn walked into the room and sat beside her sister.
"Sam's got Piper and Paige working on the Titans but I don't know how long that's gonna last," Dawn said. "Part of my power as a goddess seems to show me other timelines. Some are so radically different than our own, in one I saw you and I on a starship. Anyways so far the other timelines that mirror ours I've seen us still losing."
Up there Leo was hiding behind a pillar as Chris orbed in beside him. "What are you doing?" Leo asked. "You're gonna expose us!"
"Shh! That's Sam's idea," Chris said.
"Did you sense that?" Cronus asked.
Demetrius nodded, "Someone orbed."
Chris peeked around the pillar and whistled. Cronus threw a stream of fire at Chris who quickly pulled back behind the pillar. "Hurry, go, they need you."
Leo orbed out as Chris peeked around the pillar and Cronus threw another stream of fire. Chris orbed out and the Titans disappear.
In Piper's room, Piper and Buffy continued to hold and rock Wyatt and Elizabeth. Just then Leo orbed in, the hood of his robes was pulled over his head so they didn't immediately recognize him.
"Who are you?" Piper asked.
Leo removed the hood and looked at his wife and mother-in-law. "Hi, Piper, Buffy."
Buffy smiled, "You're home."
Piper put Wyatt in his crib and then walked to Leo and hugged him. "You heard my calls, right?"
Leo nodded, "Of course I did, honey. But I had to make sure the Elders were safe and then I was cornered by the Titans."
"I'm just thankful you're okay. My mind was just racing." Piper said.
Leo nodded, "I know. I felt it. Good thing Chris came when he did."
"So Sam's plan worked?" Buffy asked.
"It did," Leo said. "He distracted the Titans so I could escape. Right now they're probably following his orb trail so we don't have..."
Piper looked at his hair and then at Buffy who nodded having noticed the streak of white also. "What's wrong with your hair?" she asked.
"What?" Leo asked as Piper touched the patch of white hair on his head.
"Your hair is turning white, Leo." Buffy said.
"Is it?" Leo said as he moved in front of the mirror and saw the white streak. "Wow, it must be from staying up there for so long."
"I guess so." Piper said.
"Where are Phoebe, Paige and Dawn?" Leo asked having noticed that Buffy was now a god as well, which meant likely Dawn was as well.
"Well, they can wait a minute while we spend some time together and then you need to hold your children." Piper said.
Leo smiled, "Spoken like a true earth goddess."
"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked.
"Piper, you need to channel your hearth and home instincts to fight the Titans." Leo said.
"Leo, I was speaking from the heart not the hearth. Hi, I'm your wife, remember?" Piper said.
Leo nodded, "I do, but Chris can only throw off the Titans for so long. We need to be ready with a battle plan. Now, let's find Phoebe, Paige and Dawn."
Buffy put Elizabeth in the crib with her brother. She followed Piper and Leo out into the hallway as the Elf nanny walked around the corner.
"Ma'am, I was just coming to check on the babies." The Elf nanny said.
"That's okay," Buffy said. "We just put them down for his nap."
The Elf Nanny looked at Leo and her jaw dropped thinking he was an Elder. "Welcome, wise one."
"Oh, no, this is just my husband. He's not an Elder. He's just wearing this robe because... Why are you wearing this robe?" Piper said.
"It was windy up there." Leo said.
"See, so you can take a break 'cause, you know, Wyatt's asleep. Okay, here we go." Piper said as she, Buffy and Leo head downstairs.
Dawn was reading up on Zeus in the parlor. "It says in here that Cronus swallowed his new born children to keep them from overthrowing him."
"What if you lure the Titans to a field, Piper lifts them with a tornado, and I hit him with my lightning?" Paige asked.
"I'm afraid there's no way to beat a man who eats his own children." Phoebe said.
"Those stories are fables." Sam said as Piper, Leo and Buffy came downstairs.
Phoebe was the first to see Leo as she got up and hugged him, "Leo!"
"Welcome home, Leo." Paige said.
Dawn smiled. "Hey Leo."
"What do you have for me?" Leo asked.
Sam moved over to Buffy and shook his head as he whispered, "They really trust him. I don't know what it is but nothing short of him was going to get them motivated."
"Paige ran every battle plan she knows which as a war goddess is basically every battle that's ever been fought." Phoebe said.
Buffy nodded as she whispered back, "They do. Thanks for trying though."
"Any time, Patty." Sam whispered.
"No matter how you spin it - warrior, seductress, earth mother, huntress, healer - we don't have the power to defeat the Titans." Paige said.
Phoebe nodded, "We can't beat them. They're too strong for us."
"See how much this family needs you?" Piper asked.
Leo shook his head, "No. I don't. You can do this without me. Just as you Buffy and you Dawn can do this without Sam. And it's not because you have the power of gods or the power of three or the entire family magic. It's because you are the greatest force of good that I know and that's why I chose you. All of you."
"Oh, see I could just feel the confidence wash all over me. He's doing it." Phoebe said.
"What is he doing?" Piper asked.
"Paige, you know exactly where to find the power to conquer the Titans." Leo said.
"I do?" Paige asked.
Leo nodded, "Yes. You just need to focus."
"Aunt Dawn was right," Paige said as realization set in. "We have to declare ourselves gods."
Leo nodded, "It's how the ancient Greeks did it."
"Chris told them before Sam gave Dawn and I god powers that they, now we, shouldn't do that." Buffy said.
Leo nodded, "Well, Chris is wrong. He doesn't know you like I do."
"But Leo, the ancient Greeks lost their humanity." Phoebe said.
Leo nodded, "You're not the ancient Greeks, you're the Charmed Ones, the Slayer and a Scooby." Dawn smiled at being considered a part of the old Scooby gang that comprised Buffy, Xander and Willow in the beginning. "I didn't give any of you anything you couldn't handle. Phoebe, you lost yourself to the darkest love that ever existed and you came back. Of course, you can handle being the goddess of love."
"I never thought of it that way." Phoebe said.
"Paige, you're the goddess of war because you've been consumed with gaining power but you've never let the power consume you. Piper, is it any wonder I made you the goddess of earth? You are everything that is good and beautiful in this world. The mother of my son." Leo said. "Dawn, you are the goddess of gateways because of what you were. The Key and because of what you went through when Buffy died temporarily. And for what you have gone through since meeting Piper, Phoebe, Paige and I."
Dawn smiled.
"And Buffy," Leo continued. "You have lived two lifetimes and in both have done what was right. It is why in this lifetime you are the Slayer a force of good. Have you ever wondered where your power as the Slayer came from?"
"Giles told me that the First Slayer had the essence of a demon merged with her."
Leo shook his head. "Sineya was a minor god in the Greek pantheon. She saw what the world was like and knew that long after they, the Greek gods, were gone that someone would have to defend the world from the demons. So she imbued a portion of her own essence in the creation of the First Slayer. When Sam made you and Dawn gods to help Piper, Phoebe and Paige the rest of Sineya's essence came to you making you like them a god."
"So Sineya was a god not a demon?"
Sam nodded. "She was. It is a misconception perpetrated by the Shadowmen that formed the Watcher's Council. That Sineya was a demon."
Leo nodded, "Sam gave you the rest of Sineya's power because he like I knew you could handle it, Buffy. You have been the Slayer for seven years. And you never once forsook your destiny."
"Well actually." Buffy said.
"Even then," Leo said. "You knew what you had to do and you went back."
"You really have that much faith in us?" Piper asked.
Leo smiled, "Do you really even need to ask that? It's like I've always said, your power comes from your emotions and right now you need to dig deeper than you ever have before. Whatever motivates you. Your heart, your soul, your darkest fears. Whatever it takes, you need to find that and channel it into power. Power not to capture the Titans, but to destroy them forever." Suddenly, he glowed all over.
"Leo?" Piper asked.
"What's happening to me?" Leo asked as Sam looked at him and nodded understanding at what was happening.
Moments later Leo was playing with Wyatt and Eliabeth who were still in their crib. "I'll never leave either of you, I promise." Leo said as Piper and Buffy walked in.
"Why would you? Leo, what's going on?" Piper asked.
"I'm not sure." Leo said.
"What do you mean you're not sure? Chris! Where ever you are, get your ass over here!" Piper said.
"It's okay, Chris." Leo said.
Chris orbed in as Sam walked in from the hallway.
"This better be an emergency. You are going to lead the Titans straight to us." Chris said.
"What's happening to my husband?" Piper asked.
Chris smiled, "Something amazing."
"You know what? Cut the crap. You knew the Elders were gonna die. You coached Leo up there. You knew all of this was gonna happen." Piper said.
"Did you?" Buffy asked.
Chris sighed, "You're not serious."
"Whatever it is you think you're doing, you need to make it stop." Piper said.
Chris shook his head, "Piper, nobody chose this. It chose Leo. What he did up there for all of us was nothing short of a miracle. Now he's receiving the ultimate reward. A chance to become..."
"Don't you dare say it." Piper said.
Sam shook his head, "He doesn't have to. Even I can see it, Piper. And for you and Leo I wish it weren't true."
"The world needs sources of good to watch over it. Do you know a source of pure goodness better than Leo?" Chris said.
Piper looked between Sam and Chris as realization was beginning to sink in, "Leo is not... He's not an Elder, okay? Because Elder's don't live on earth. They don't have families. Okay, just tell them you're not an Elder."
Leo shook his head, "I don't know that I can."
"I think you and Buffy should get back to Phoebe, Paige and Dawn." Chris said.
Piper shook her head, "No. Not until you tell him."
"They're waiting for you." Chris said.
Leo nodded, "Chris is right. You two need to get back to Dawn, Paige and Phoebe."
"No. Not until you say it." Piper said.
"The Titans are gonna be here any moment." Sam said.
"I said no!" Piper said as she pointed at Chris and sent him flying across the room. He hit the door and fell to the floor unconscious.
"He'll be okay," Leo said as he rushed over to Chris. "You did it, Piper. You found your power. Now control it, don't let it control you."
They just then heard a crash from downstairs.
"Piper! Mom!" Phoebe called out.
In the conservatory the Titans sent Phoebe and Dawn flying across the room.
"Where is the Elder that created you?" Cronus said as Phoebe and Dawn got back up.
The room started to shake as Buffy and Piper appeared. Cronus and Demetrius sent lightning bolts and a stream of fire at Buffy and Piper. Buffy moved in front of her daughter and she absorbed everything they sent at her.
"It's not nice to piss of mother nature." Piper said. "Mom."
Buffy lifts her foot and using her god enhanced Slayer strength brought it down solidly on the floor shaking it. "Dawn. We need a doorway."
Dawn looked at her sister and knew what her sister was asking. Not to another timeline but to someplace that could destroy Cronus and Demetrius. She waved her hand and portal opened in the floor. She slowly made it wider and wider. Piper raised her hands and wind began blowing rather strongly through the room. Paige grabbed her trident and zapped Cronus and Demetrius causing the Titans to stumble forward and fall into the fiery pit on the other side of the portal. Dawn smiled as she closed the portal.
"So much for the Titans." Paige said as Leo and Sam rushed into the room.
"Thank god." Phoebe said.
"You're welcome." Piper said.
"You all did it," Leo said. You all found the power you needed. Now it's time to give it back." Leo said as Piper and Buffy disappeared.
Moments later it was raining and thundering outside. the living room. Paige was standing in front of Leo, who is holding the urn. She was the last, other than Piper and Buffy, to return her god powers.
"Are you ready?" Leo asked.
"Just get it out of me." Paige said as Leo lifted the lid of the urn and her god powers flew out of her and into the urn.
"How do you feel?" Sam asked.
"Phew. Free." Paige said as Sam hugged her. "Anything on Piper and Mom?" She and Sam sat next to Phoebe who was scrying.
"Nope, I still can't get a read." Phoebe said.
"Just keep trying." Dawn said, not wanting to lose her sister again.
"Okay, even if we do find them, how are we gonna get them back? Mom and Piper are on this major power trip. They along with us destroyed the Titans, not even the Greek gods could do that." Paige said.
"We've just gotta hope they have some humanity still left inside." Sam said.
Leo nodded, "If anyone can come back from this, it's Buffy and Piper. I've gotta go now. If you need me Sam and Chris knows how to get in touch."
"Where are you going?" Paige asked.
"The Elders have returned to the heavens and they're calling for me." Leo said as he orbed out.
"Did he just bail on us? Is that what he did?" Phoebe asked.
"Uh, what about, you know, helping us find his wife and mother-in-law?" Paige said.
"He's trusting in you to do that," Chris said. "You need to find Buffy and Piper and talk them down before they set up shop somewhere and throw the world into chaos. Then it'll be too late for either of them."
"Okay, maybe you missed the part about Piper being Leo's wife." Dawn said. "And Buffy being my sister and Piper, Phoebe and Paige's mother as well as Leo's mother-in-law."
"Look, you have to understand," Chris said. "Things have changed. The Elders need Leo up there to help restore order."
"Cut to the chase, future man. Is this about Leo being turned into an Elder, or what?" Paige said.
Sam nodded, "As much as I hate to say it, he's on the path. And I know that means nothing to you girls or Patty or even Piper."
Suddenly, a tree branch hit the window, smashing it. "What is going on with this storm?" Phoebe asked, startled.
"Piper," Paige said with realization." Piper's what's up with this storm. And I bet Mom is not far away from Piper, watching."
"What do you mean?" Sam asked.
"Remember when the Titans were first released, the major weather shifts, and the earthquake." Paige said.
"Yeah." Dawn and Phoebe said.
"When you have power over the earth like the Titans did, it's bound to suffer your emotional baggage." Paige said.
"And like Leo says, our power comes from our emotions. Okay, okay. So if you're a god and you're angry and you're taking it out on the city, where would you go?" Phoebe said.
"Somewhere high where I could enjoy the damage I'm inflicting." Paige said.
At Twin Peaks Buffy and Piper were standing there soaking wet from the rain. Piper raised her arms and several flashes of lightning bolts hit in the city. Buffy brought her foot down and the ground shook from her god enhanced Slayer strength.
"Mom! Piper!" Phoebe said as she, Dawn, Paige and Sam orbed in.
"Stay away from us." Buffy said.
"We're taking you home." Paige said.
"To your family." Dawn said.
"What family?" Piper asked.
"To your son. Wyatt. And your daughter. Elizabeth Remember them?" Phoebe said to Piper.
"They need their mother." Paige added.
"To me?" Dawn said to Buffy. "You don't want to leave me alone again do you?"
"To me as well," Sam said as he looked at Buffy. I don't want to lose you again."
"Wyatt and Elizabeth have already lost their father, don't take their mother and grandmother away from them too." Phoebe said as Piper disappeared.
Buffy looked at Dawn and Sam as she sunk to her knees and cried. The god power came out of her and flew up towards the heavens.
Paige suddenly realized what Buffy was really angry at. She moved over to Buffy and hugged her, "We're not going to lose you. And you're not losing us."
Phoebe's eyes went wide as realization sank in. Buffy fled with Piper not only because of Leo becoming an Elder but Piper herself. She didn't want to lose her daughter. So she had done what she could and joined Piper instead.
Dawn and Sam looked at each other and then at Buffy and nodded in agreement. It wasn't just about them or Leo. But about Piper and Phoebe and Paige. The whole reason when Patty's memories had fully returned she had remained with her daughters.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Where is he?" Piper said as she appeared in the heavens. "Where is Leo?"
"Piper, what are you doing here?" Leo asked as he walked over to her.
"How can you do this?" Piper asked.
"Uh, excuse us for a minute." Leo said as he and Piper move across the room.
"You asked me to marry you and I did. You wanted a family and I gave you both a son and a daughter. And now you want me to watch you just walk away?" Piper said.
Leo shook his head, "It's not that simple."
"Then make it simple. Because I'm trying really hard to understand." Piper said.
Leo sighed, "Piper, if I had a choice in any of this, I would choose you. I always have."
"Then choose me now. Then let's go home." Piper said as she held out her hand.
"Don't you think I want to?" Leo asked.
"I don't know. And that's what scares me the most." Piper said as she sniffled.
Leo nodded, "The Elders were wrong about us. They didn't think our love could survive but it did. Our love blessed us in ways they couldn't even imagine. It gave you the strength that you needed to take over from Prue, it produced twins with a greater future than either of us, and it made me..."
"An Elder." Piper said.
Leo nodded, "Our love is transcendent, Piper. It lifted me up so high that this was the only possible result. Being an Elder wasn't my destiny, but yet here I am because of you."
"I can't just give up," Piper said as tears fell down her face. "I don't know how."
"You can't fight this. Not this." Leo said.
The god powers flew out of Piper and float back into the urn behind the nearby door. "How am I supposed to do this alone?" she asked.
"You have your sisters, Dawn and Buffy." Leo said.
Piper shook her head, "It's not the same. Will I ever see you again?"
"I don't know. I'll always be watching over you." Leo said.
"But you won't be there for Wyatt and Elizabeth. You're gonna miss so much." Piper said.
Leo nodded, "I will never leave their side. They will always feel my presence. It's not the same as human love, they need you for that."
"They got me. And I hope that's enough. But what if it's not?" Piper cried.
"As an Elder I have the power to take your pain away." Leo said.
"You can't make me forget you." Piper said.
Leo shook his head, "No. Help you find peace." He hugged Piper as he sensed Buffy's own grief not only for Piper but for him also and nodded as he glowed and then Piper glowed and for a brief moment on Earth Buffy too glowed.
A couple days later in the kitchen Phoebe was on the phone while Paige was making a pizza.
"I know, Elise, yeah, it really was a great costume. I'm just glad that the night was a success. Okay. You too. Bye." Phoebe said as she hung up the phone. "Well, I managed to raise $18,000 for The Bay Mirror children's foundation. Gotta admit, being a goddess did have its perks. I even got a second date with Evan."
"What's Jason gonna think?" Paige asked.
"You know, I miss Jason, I really do but I can't put my life on hold for him. You know, if he comes back to San Francisco then we'll give it another shot. How about you? You miss being a warrior princess?" Phoebe asked.
"No, I do not miss being a warrior princess. In fact I don't think I'm even gonna miss being super witch." Paige said.
"What do you mean?" Dawn asked.
"I've been on this crazy magic journey for so long now I just think it's time to slow down a bit. You know, I've kind of let my career slide, let my friends slide. I think I'm just tired and I need a break." Paige said as she, Dawn and Phoebe pick up trays of food.
"Got it?" Phoebe asked as Paige and Dawn nodded. They walk into the dining room where the table was set. "You know, Aunt Dawn, Paige, you two should be really proud of yourselves. All that hard work paid off. We beat the Titans."
"Yeah, I am, it's great. I guess I'm kind of looking forward to a change, you know, to help me take my mind off what we're losing." Paige said.
Phoebe nodded, "Sweetie, you can't look at it that way. We didn't lose him, he'll be watching over us."
"It's different." Paige said.
Phoebe nodded, "It is."
Dawn nodded. "Now I understand how Buffy felt. It's rewarding in amongst itself. But at the same time it means we now have to look forward to the next battle and the battle after that. And to tell the truth I can understand why Buffy wanted to quit at one time. But right now this is what I want to do. Maybe someday I will want to quit but not now."
"Have either of you seen Mom?" Paige asked.
Dawn nodded, "I took her a little breakfast this morning. I think she will be okay. It just hit too close to home you know?"
Phoebe nodded, "Yeah. It brought up the memories of Angel and Riley leaving her. Of her and Dad getting divorced. And the fact that she and Sam had been forbidden. I think it's understandable she would stand beside Piper when they went on their rampage. Because Piper was hurting the most and she didn't want to lose a daughter on top of everything else. I just hope she and Piper will be alright." Just then the doorbell rang. "Come in!"
"Hi." Sheila said as she and Darryl walked through the front door.
"Hey." Darryl said.
Paige nodded, "Hi."
"Hey." Dawn said.
"Are you sure you want us over today?" Sheila asked.
Darryl nodded, "Yeah, I mean, we don't wanna intrude."
"No, you're not intruding. This was Piper's idea." Phoebe said.
"I can only imagine what she's going through. How's she doing?" Sheila asked.
"We're not really sure." Phoebe said. "About her or Mom. As Paige, Dawn and I were just saying. For Mom this hit too close to home."
Paige nodded, "Piper wanted to be alone with Wyatt and Elizabeth last night. And Mom just wanted to be alone, period."
"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Piper didn't come out of her room for like a year." Darryl said. "Buffy is…"
Phoebe nodded, "For Mom; Leo leaving just hit too close to home. How much did she tell you about her life?"
"Everything," Sheila said.
"So you know she died?" Dawn asked as Sheila and Darryl nodded. "We think it brought up those memories of leaving me alone. I also think it brought up the memories of Angel and Riley leaving her. And maybe even when she and Victor got divorced back when she was Patty. For Buffy as Phoebe said it just hit too close to home. So much so she didn't want to lose Piper as well."
At that moment Buffy and Piper came down the stairs all cheery.
"Hi, guys, I'm so glad you could come." Piper said.
"Hi." Darryl said.
Sheila smiled, "Hi. We wanted to show our support." She handed Piper a bunch of flowers.
"Thank you." Buffy said.
Darryl nodded, "Yeah. Leo was... is... somebody...?"
There was a moment of awkward silence.
"Oh, come on, guys, this is a celebration. Leo got promoted. We should all be happy for him. Mom and I are." Piper said as Buffy nodded in agreement.
"You both are?" Paige asked.
"Of course we are." Buffy said.
"Piper, Mom, you both don't have to put on brave faces. We're all here for the both of you." Phoebe said.
Paige nodded, "Suppressing emotions in this family can be dangerous."
Piper shook her head, "No, Mom and I are not suppressing anything, really, we're okay. Now let's eat before either Wyatt or Elizabeth wakes up from their naps. Oh, I forgot the baby monitor. Here." She gave Phoebe the flowers. "Be right back." She ran upstairs.
"Okay, let's eat." Dawn said.
Darryl nodded, "Yeah, come on, honey," he said as he, Buffy and Sheila walked into the dining room and sat down at the dining room table.
"Something's wrong with Buffy and Piper." Dawn said.
"Maybe they've moved on." Paige said.
Phoebe shook her head, "Piper doesn't move on, she fights. I'm telling you, that wasn't Piper. And I don't know but something is telling me that is not Mom either."
Dawn nodded. "After everything Buffy has gone through, something like this wouldn't be easy for her to deal with. I remember when Riley left it nearly broke her heart."
Outside Chris was sitting on the stairs as Leo orbed in. "So the Elders decide what to do with me yet?"
Leo nodded, "Well, you've been the subject of heated discussion. One thing we agreed upon is you can't return to the future."
"I figured as much. The timeline's changed, I don't even know what I go back to. So what did they decide?" Chris said.
"The Elders voted to make you the Charmed Ones' new Whitelighter." Leo said. "Sam of course will continue to be Buffy's and Faith to be Dawn's."
"They did?" Chris asked.
Leo nodded, "As a reward for helping to defeat the Titans but then somehow I figured you knew that. You know, I can't stop thinking about what Piper said and wondering myself if this wasn't part of your plan all along. Take good care of them, Chris. Don't forget, I'll be watching over you."
Leo orbed out and as the white orbed left, Chris waved his hand and the white orbs explode into nothing. He looked around and got up. He walked inside and closed the door telekinetically.